NEW DELHI: In a big relief to people with physical disabilities, the central government has announced to allow a relaxation of 10 years in age for the visually-challenged, hearing-impaired and persons suffering from locomotor disability or cerebral palsy in case of direct recruitment to all central government posts but not in the civil services.

The new rules by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) further say that people with disabilities belonging to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe categories will get 15 more years and those from Other Backward Class (OBC) will be entitled for 13 years relaxation. The relaxation is applicable with the condition that maximum age of the applicant shall not exceed 56 years.

"Age relaxation of 10 years (15 years for SC/ST and 13 years for OBC candidates) in upper age limit shall be allowed to persons suffering from (a) blindness or low vision, (b) hearing impairment and (c) locomotor disability or cerebral palsy in case of direct recruitment to all civil posts or services under the Central government identified suitable to be held by persons with such disabilities," the DoPT said.

The age concession to the persons with disabilities shall be admissible irrespective of the fact whether the post is reserved for person with disabilities or not, provided the post is identified suitable for the relevant category of disability.

"This provision will not apply to the civil services examination, in respect of which the list of services identified suitable for physically disabled category along with the physical requirements and functional classifications is notified separately," the DoPT said.

Earlier, there was a provision of five years of concession in upper age limit (10 years for SC/ST, eight years for OBC) for recruitment to Group 'A' and 'B' posts, otherwise than through open competitive examination. There was a provision of ten years of concession in upper age limit for Group 'C' and 'D' posts filled through employment exchanges.

Source: http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/10-Years-Age-Relaxation-in-Centra...